Apparatus for perforating hollow cylindrical objects



March 10, 1953 c: w. MussER EI'AL 2,630,862

APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS Filed Sept. 5, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet l 6 a "T 1 2 t 40 33 FlG.l

36 INVENTORS.

C. WALTON MUSSER' BY PAUL L. Fox

ywam w 15 ATTORIEYS= March 10, 1953 C W. MUSSER EI'AL APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS Filed Sept. 5, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. C. WALTON MUSSER PAUL L. FOX

M \fl- 3W ATTORNEYS:

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March 10, 1953 c w. MUSSER EI'AL APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS ATTORNEYS:

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Q on March 10, 1953 c w. MussER EFAL 2,630,862

APPARATUS FOR'PYERFORATING HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS Filed Sept. 5, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 l 22 INVENTORS.

0. WALTON MUSSER BY PAUL L. FOX

@KWQMM ATTORNEYS March 10, 1953 c w. MUSSER ETAL 2,630,862

APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS Filed Sept. 5, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 530 see 366 52a 34 392 F 330 5844 -sas FIG.22

31a FIG. 23

.OO.O O.OG. a G G O O G O O G O Q FIG. 24

INVENTORS. 0. WALTON MUSSER Y PAUL L. FOX

ATTORNEY8= ture of the character mentioned, in which the anvil is rigidly supported from below durin the perforating operation.

A still further object is to provide a perforating fixture equipped with automatically operatin safety devices to stop the machin at the completion of its cycle, or at the failure of the in dexing mechanism to operate properly.

Yet another object is to provide a perforating fixture incorporating a quickly applied and removed work clamping device.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent from an inspection of the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a front view of our invention shown mounted upon a representative punch press which is shown partly in section and partly broken away.

Fig. '2 is a top plan View, partly in section and partly broken away, taken along line 2--2 of Fig. l to show the appearance of the lower fixed member of our fixture and the parts attached thereto;

Fig. 3 is a similar view, partly broken away, taken along line 3--3 of Fig. 1 and showing the appearance, from above, of the upper reciprocatable member of our fixture and the parts attached to its lower surface;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and showing, in particular, certain internal details of the fixtures anvil, and the manner of supporting the anvil, guide rails, and draw bar;

Fig. 5 is a side view of our fixture, partly in section and partly broken away, as seen from line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section, partly broken away, taken along line 66 of Fig. 2 and showing constructional details relating to an overhanging portion of our fixture;

Fig. 7 is a partial horizontal section taken alon line of Fig. 5 and showing certain details of the fixtures lower plate, anvil support block, guide bar supports, draw bar, plate cams, roller bars, and guide bars. this section are a repetition of those previously shown, and, for that reason, have been deleted for simplicity of drawing;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section, partly broken away, taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 5 and showing interior details of the anvil;

Fig. 9 is a partially sectioned and partially broken away front view of our fixture. This fi ure is actually an enlargement of a corresponding portion of Fig. l; but for simplicity of drawing, most of the punch press to which the fixture is attached is not shown;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken along line lll| of Fig. 9 and showing details of a safety switch provided on the fixture;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section taken along line ll--l| of Fig. 9 and showing some details of the fixtures indexing mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken along line l2l2 of Fig. 9 and showing more details of the indexing mechanism together with means provided for clamping the head end of the cartridge case in the fixtures chuck. For simplicity of drawing only one of a plurality of clamp lugs is shown in the case clamping means;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken along line l3--! 3 of Fig. 9 and showing additional details of the safety switch;

Fig. 14 is a partly broken away vertical sec- The parts omitted from tion taken along line l4-M of Fig. 12 and showing additional details of the case clamping means;

Fig. 15 is a central vertical section, partially broken away, showing the manner of positioning and clamping the cartridge case in the fixtures chuck. Also shown are details of the anvil, die block, sliding wedge, anvil sup-port block, and cradle;

Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken along line I6l5 of Fig. 15 and showing additional details of the fixtures cradle, sliding wedge, anvil, and die block;

Fig. 17 is a side view taken along line ll-l1 of Fig. 1 and showing the automatic clutch release mechanism associated with our fixture. In this figure the machines clutch would be engaged;

Fig. 18 is a side view taken along line 18-28 of Fig. l and showing a treadle controlled switch forming part of the safety mechanism already mentioned. In this figure the machines clutch would be disengaged;

Fig. 19 is a partly broken away front View similar to Fig. 9 but showing a modified structure of the clamping and indexing mechanism of our fixture;

Fig. 20 is a horizontal section taken along line Ell-26 of Fig. 19 and showing additional details of a portion of the modified indexing mechanism;

Fig. 21 is a horizontal section taken along line 2!2l of Fig. 19 and showing a certain eccentricity upon which the axial indexing in the modified structure is dependent;

Fig. 22 is a vertical section taken along line 22-22 of Fig. 19 and showing additional details of the modified clamping and indexing mechamsm;

Fig. 23 is a horizontal section taken along line 23-23 of Fig. 19 and showing part of the clamping structure in the modified construction; and

Fig. 24 is a view of a representative hollow, tapered, cylindrical workpiece in the form of a cartridge case after perforating its sidewall by means of our fixture.

Fig. 25 is a detail view of an element.

Fig. 26 is a wiring diagram of the electric circuits.

Fig. 27 is an enlarged detail view of an element 90 oi Fig. 12.

As seen in Figs. 1 to 3, 5, 9, and 12 our inventive fixture is constructed upon a die set comprising a base plate 3! and an upper, opposed companion plate 32. Secured in the lower plate by well known means (not shown) and extending vertically upward toward the companion plate are guide posts 33. These guide posts are slidably accommodated in bushings 34 secured in usual fashion (not shown) in the companion plate and serve to maintain alignment between the two plates.

In practice, as is well known by those skilled in the art, base plate 3| is secured in any convenlent manner (not shown) to a bolster plate 35 forming part of bed 38 of a punch press type machine tool 31, while upper, companion plate 82 is secured, in alignment with the base plate, to the presss reciprocating ram 38 (see Fig. 1). For facility of purpose, a spacer plate 39 is shown interposed between the base plate and the bolster plate; but, depending upon press dimensions and other factors, the bolster plate and spacer plate may not always be necessary and could, therefore, be omitted.

As the machine is operated, the reciprocating ram carries the companion plate toward and away from the fixed base plate. More details concerning the machine tool to which our fixture is attached will be given later.

In order to facilitate the understanding of our fixture and its operation, our description will be presented according to the following pattern. First we shall describe the front end construction of our fixture, i. e. the portion embracing the rotary and axial indexing mechanism in addition to the means provided for locating and clamping in the fixture the head end of the cartridge case to be perforated (see Fig. 12). Next we will describe the components associated with the fixtures base plate 3 l then these attached to its upper, companion plate 32. After that we shall discuss the illustrative punch press on which our fixture is used and the presss fixture operated, clutch release mechanism. Following that, the operation of our fixture will be presented; then, finally, the construction and operation or a modified construction of the fixture.

The front end of our fixture is viewed externally in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9, and is sectioned in Fig. 12. This front end, which houses the rotary and axial indexing mechanism, also contains automatic safety switches. In addition, as will be shown later, the head end of the cartridge case to be perforated is located and clamped in the front end. From the figures mentioned, it can be seen that some components of the fixtures front end construction are associated with fixed base plate 35 through a vertical plate 88 attached thereto, and the remainder of the components are associated with reciprocated companion plate 32 through an extension plate ll secured to it.

Front end components associated with base plate VERTICAL PLATE, 'CYLINDRICAL INDEX HOUSING, AND MI-CROSWITCH Those components of the fixtures front end which are associated with base plate 3i will now be discussed. As seen inFigs. 1, 9, and 12, vertical plate til is secured by means of screws 82 and dowels 13 to one end of base plate 3 l, and is provided with a stepped U-shaped opening at emahating from its upper edge (see Fig. 12). The upper portion 35 of this opening is somewhat wider than the lower portion '45 (see Fig. 2) and is of suflicient width and depth "to permit proper movement of a punch block later to be described. Lower portion ll; of the stepped U-s'haped opening is of such size to permit free passage of the cartridge case in the loading, operation, and unloading of the fixture (see Figs. 12 and 15).

Att shed to vertical plate 3 as by screws ll and dowels Qt, is a hollow, cylindrical index housing to (see Figs. 1, 2, 5, 9, and 12). That portion cf't'he index housing adjacent the vertical plate is provided with a flange 5! through which pass the screws and dowels which secure the housing to the vertical plate. As seen in those figures the upper portion of the housing is flattened off as at 52 for a purpose which will become apparent later. As seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 9 the left side of housing 5i) is also flattened oil as at 53 and has attached thereto, as by screws (not shown), a bracket upon which is mounted 'a Micro switch 55 later to be described. In Figs. 2 and 9 can be seen the electrical lead wires '53 and M which emanate from this microswitch and form part of the electrical system of our fixture. The operation of this electrical system will be dis- "cussedin itsentirety later. 7 1

RING GEAR, WEAR PLATE, AND chock PINS As will be seen in Figure '12, the index nousing has a series of concentric recesses. One central recess 56 accommodates a rotatable, axially slida'ble chuck 5?, later to be described. Another recess 58 rotatably accommodates the flange 59 of a bevel ring gear 60 and a third recess 6| contains a wear plate 62. In the central portion of fiat 52 the housings wall accommodates a bushing 63 which is secured in place by set screw 64. Near its forward end (i. e. toward the readers left in Figs. 5 and 12), this wall is also provided with three strategically located, radially extending, stepped recesses. Each recess contains, at its inner end, a bushing 65 and, at its outer end, a threaded plug it (also see'Figs. 9 and 12). Each bushing, in turn, accommodates a headed chuck pin so (see Figs. 9 and 12) which extends some what inside recess '56 for a purpose which will be explained later.

Wear plate 52 is a fiat disc accommodated in recess E! of index housing 50. Its thickness is such that the plates outer face is substantially flush with the adjacent face of the index housing. A central recess 57 in the wear plate :slidably and rotatably accommodates the inner end 58 of chuck 51 (see Figs. 5, ,9, .12, and .15).

Bevel ring gear 5!) is composed of the toothed portion "it and the earlier mentioned flanged portion 53 (see Figs. .5, 9, and 12.). The flanged portion is rotatably accommodated in shouldered recess 58 in index housing 50 Where it is confined against axial movement by wear plate 62. The gears inside diameter slidably accommodates the inner end 88 of chuck 51 and isprovided with .oppositely located key grooves 12.

CHUCK AND SWITCH. LUG

The cylindrical, rotatable, and axially .slidable chuck 51 is shown in Figs. .1, 2,5, 9, 12, 14, and 15. Fig. in particular, shows our chuck to consist of a large diametered outer end 15 .(to the readers left in that figure), a smaller diametered intermediate pcrtion it, and the previously mentioned inner end $8 .(to the readers right .in Fig. 12). A. uniformly undulating peripheral groove H .(see Figs. 5 and 12), having the same number of undulations as there are longitudinal rows of perforations to be produced in the workpiece, is located in the large diametered portion 15, and oppositely locatedjkeys 18 are positioned in smaller diametered portion til. As will be seen later, the undulating groove, in collaboration with chuck pins 69, is responsible for the intermittent axial indexing of the workpiecejin our fixture. In other words, the cooperation of these parts results in the staggered relationship between the perforations produced in the workpiece. Those skilled in mechanical arts know that actually only one chuck pin engaged in the undulating groove of the chuck would produce the desired axial displacement of the chuck. However, for facility of operation, we have provided the three chuck -pins, although any convenient number could be employed. From Figs. 12, 14, and 15 it can be seen that keys '55, which mate with key grooves 52 in bevel ring gear .50, prevent relative rotation between those parts, butiyet do not prevent chuck 5? from axially sliding in relation to the bevel ring gear.

The inside of our chuck contains a recess which has the bottom 81. Th'ebottom, in turn, is provided with a central opening 82 which accommodates a'portion of the head of the cartridge case to-be perforated. At-the opposite end of 7 recess'ii fl, threeedually' spacedlugs 83 having arcuate faces 84 (see Fig. 9) project radially inward. As will be shown later, these lugs aid in clamping the cartridge case in position.

Press fitted in clamp recess 80, just inside the inner surface of clamp lugs 83, and approximately at the end of one of the clamp lugs (in traveling clockwise as viewed from the fixtures front end), is a stop pin 85 (see Figs. 9 and 14). As will be shown later this stop pin aids in properly positioning a cartridge case clamp.

Secured to the front face of chuck 51 by means of screw 81 is a switch lug 88 (see Figs. 1, 2, and 9). During the operation of our fixture this lug intermittently contacts and depresses butten 89 of Microswitch 55 controlling an electrical circuit associated with our fixture. More details about these matters will follow later.

Leading into recess 80 from its left end (see Fig. 12) is the tapered throat 85 through which, in addition to recess 89, the cartridge case is in- INDEXING SPINDLE AND PINION GEAR Resting upon fiat portion 52 of index housing 59 is the indexing spindle 9d (see Figs. 1, 2, 5, 9, 11, and 12). The periphery of this spindle is provided with seven equally spaced, cam-like grooves, the major part of which consists of an axially extending, straight portion 9!. groove has, at its upper end, a deep portion 92 and, at its lower end, a less deep portion 93 (see Fig. 12). Connecting these two portions is a beveled portion 94, a shallow portion 95 and a shoulder QB. Extending from the less deep portion 93 of one groove to the deep portion 92 of the adjacent groove in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed from above) is a steep-pitched helical groove 97. The significance of these parts will be elaborated upon later. However, it should be mentioned that seven such equally spaced grooves 9! were chosen only in order to co-function properly with the gear ratio between a pinion gear I62, later to be introduced, and the earlier mentioned bevel ring gear 59. In other words, the number of grooves may be varied provided that rotation of the indexing spindle through a distance equal to the angular spacing between its grooves tI produces a given angular rotation of chuck 57, in order to accomplish the proper angular spacing between successive, longitudinal rows of perforations to be made in the workpiece.

From Fig. 12 it can be seen that indexing spindle 9D is pinned as at N30 to the shank IIlI of a beveled pinion gear [92. This pinion gear is provided with a thrust collar IE3 which bears against the inside face of bushing 63 earlier mentioned. It can be seen that rotation of indexing spindle 9% will result in rotation of bevel pinion H32, bevel ring gear and chuck 51.

Intermittent rotation of indexing spindle 9% (see Figs. 1, 2, 5, 9, 11, and 12) results from reciprocation of companion plate 32 which is attached to the well known punch press type machine, and is brought about through the aid of components now to be introduced.

Front end components associated with companion plate EXTENSION PLATE THIMBLE Attached to the upper surface of companion plate 32 as by screws I05 and dowels I66 (see Figs. 3, 5, and 12) and projecting horizontally outward over index housing 50 is extension plate Each 4I (also see Figs; 1, 9, 10, 11, and 13). Axially aligned with indexing spindle and rotatably supported in a recess in the extension plate is thimble I87 whose internal recess I08 slidably and rotatably accommodates indexing spindle 90. Thimble I9? has a flange I09 near its lower end which rests atop extension plate 4|, and the thimble is prevented from axial movement out of the extension plate by means of a collar III) which is threadedly attached to the thimbles lower end and secured by means of set screw I I I (see Figs. 5 and 9) The thimbles flange I09 is provided with three stepped, radially extending recesses in which are located an indexing pin I I2, a pin spring I I3, and a threaded plug us (see Figs. 11 and 12). From those figures it is obvious that index pin I I2 engages grooves 9i and 91 in indexing spindle 9i), and is constantly urged radially inward toward the indexing spindle by means of the spring II3. As in the case of chuck pins 69, one index pin I I2 engaged with the indexing spindle 90 would, theoretically, be sufiicient for the operation of our fixture. Our use of three index pins acting in unison is made as a mechanical expedient in order to facilitate the fixtures operation. Also provided on the flange is an axially extending, semi-circular groove l I5 (see Figs. 3 and 11). We would like to point out, however, that, if desired, the thimbles flange may be provided with the same number of grooves H5 as there are grooves 9I in indexing spindle 90. The purpose of groove II5 will be explained later during the description of allied components.

PAWL, BACK-STOP, AND ALLIED MICROSWITCH As best shown in Fig. 3, extension plate ll also has attached to it a pawl IIB, a back-stop H1, and a Microswitch H8. The pawl is pivotally secured to the extension plate by means of the shoulder screw I I9. The opposite end of pawl I I6 is shaped as at I29 to engage the vertically extending, semi-circular groove H5 in the thimbles flange I69. Back-stop I I? is secured to extension plate II by means of screws I2I and is placed in abutment with the rearward lateral surface of pawl H6. This back-stop is so positioned that, in the Fig. 3 showing, an imaginary line between pivot III) and the axial center of thimble I01 would pass through the center of shaped end I26 of pawl I I6. It is evident from Fig. 3 that thimble I IN cannot rotate in a clockwise direction because of the engagement between the pawls shaped end I25! and semi-circular groove H5 in the thimbles flange. It can also be understood that counterclockwise rotation of the indexing spindle will cause the pawl to pivot away from back-stop Hi. This action will be discussed in more detail later.

Microswitch H8 (see Fig. 3) is secured atop extension plate 45 by means of screws I22. In the left portion of the microswitch is an insulating sleeve I25 (see Fig. 10). This sleeve extends substantially perpendicular to the lateral surface of the pawl and contains, within an axial, shouldered recess at its inner end, a contact pin I26 having a head I21. At the opposite end of the insulating sleeve, a terminal stud I28 is threadedly attached thereto. Confined between the inner end of the terminal stud and the head of contact pin IZG is a contact pin spring I29. This spring, by acting upon the head of the contact pin, constantly urges that pin toward pawl I I6. When the contact pin is fully extended from the insulating sleeve 8.

very small space Isl) exists between the end of the pin and the pawl (see Figs. 3 and Those figures also showthat an electrical lead wire I3! is secured to terminal stud I28 by means of terminal nut 32. Later in our description we will deal with the electrical aspects of our fixture.

Microswitch its also accommodates a plunger 135 having the head it? which is slidably positioned in shouldered recess it? (see Fig. 13). Opposite plunger E35 is a plug 138 which is threadedly attached to the outer end of recess it'd. Confined between plug I33 and the head of plunger I35 is a coil spring I39 which acts constantly through the plunger to push pawl Ht against back-stop Ill.

From the description of these parts it is apparent that the thimble may, under conditions to be described later, rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above. If this rotation takes place, pawl Elli will be rotated until it abuts contact pin hit. This action will complete an electrical circuit which results in practically instantaneous stopping of the fixtures action, as will be described later.

Cartridge case clamp The cartridge case to be perforated by our novel apparatus is secured in chuck 51 by means of a clamp which will now be described.

As shown in Fig. 12, this clamp is composed of a circular body portion E li) from which projects an axial shank portion it: having the threaded end M2. A central caviiw M3 in the bod; portion slidably accommodates a plug ltd. Extending radially outward from the central cavity are three equally spaced recesses it (also see Fig. 14). These recesses are comprised of an outer, fiat bottomed portion M6 perpendicular to the clamps axis, and an inner sloped portion fill. In each recess a floating clamp lug MB is provided. (The lugs are all shown in Fig. 14, but in Fig. 12 only one lug is shown in order to simplify the drawing.) Each lug has a rounded protuberance Hi9, an outer, heel portion 55b, and an inner, toe portion IEI. The heel portion rests upon flat portion MS of the recesses I4 5. Protuberance its projects somewhat outside the clamps body portion, and toe portion iii is radially shaped (see Figs. 12 and 14) so as properly to nest together during operation of the clamp. The toe portion also is in contact with plug Mt.

Covering the inner end of clamp body His is a cover plate 252. This cover plate is the same shape but slightly smaller than the clamp body (see Figs, 12 and and is secured in position on the body by means of screws H53. Recesses E55 are providein the cover plate for slidably accommodating the floating clamp lugs; however, these recesses are not of sufficient size to allow the lugs to fall out of the clamp body. Attached to a shallow, axial recess in plate N22 to which secured by means of a screw I55, and projecting away from the clamps body is a spherica nosed pilot i555 whose purpose will be explained later.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that if the plug Mt is moved in or out, pressure on clamp lugs i 85 will vary accordingly. This movement of plug M4 is caused by the movement of a push rod l3? slid-ably accommodated within shank portion it! of the clamps body. The rod is pushed to the readers right to apply clamping pressure by threading a cap I58 onto the shank. The clamping pressure is released by unthreading cap 153 from the shank,

. From Fig. 14 it canbe seen that three equally spaced clamp lugs I59 project from the periphery of clamp body MB. The radial distance over these lugs is slightly less than the diameter of recess in chuck 51 to allow sliding relationship between the two parts; and the radius of body portion it of the clamp is slightly less than the radius across clamp lugs 83 in recess 8b of the chuck to also permit a sliding relationship between these two parts. As is necessary for the removal and insertion of our clamp in relation to chuck 51, we have made the clamp so that its lugs lei) will fit in the space between the clamp lugs 83 on the chuck. In order to reduce the weight of the clamp, we have provided the lightening holes I59 in its body.

Threading and unthreading of cap I58 on shank portion MI is facilitated by means of cross piece Itl secured in any convenient manner in the cap.

Other components associated with base plate Having described the intermittent rotary and axial indexing mechanism which is associated with both base plate 3I and companion plate 32, and having described the means for clamping the cartridge case to be perforated into our fixture, it now seems in order to discuss other components associated with the base plate,

In Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 9 can be seen a bar H52 which is fastened by means of screws I63 to the front face of base plate 3|. This bar contains an opening (not shown) which slidably supports one end of a wedge operating rod I64 later to be described.

CRADLE. ANVIL SUPPORT BLOCK, AND AIR VALVE On the top surface of base plate 3| near its front end and approximately midway between its sides is a cradle I55 which is secured in place by means of screws M6 and dowels It! (see Figs. 2, 5, 12, 15, and 16). For a reason which will become apparent later, the cradles top surface bears a longitudinally extending, tapered con cavity E68. This concavity is concentric with the axis of chuck 5?, and conforms to a portion of the sidewall of the cartridge case to be perforated in our fixture.

Farther back on the base plates top surface, and in alignment with cradle I65, is an anvil support block I10 (see Figs. 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 15). As shown in Figures 2 and '7, this block consists of a large forward portion Ill and a narrower, stepped down rear portion H2. Extending longitudinally across the blocks top surface is a horizontal groove H3 which accommodates an anvil I'M later to be described (see Fig. 4). Cut into the bottom of the horizontal groove is a somewhat narrower, longitudinally extending groove I15 (see Figs. i and 7) which slopes downward from front to rear. This groove slidably accommodates a draw bar I16 which also will be described later. The narrower, stepped down rear portion I12 of the anvil support block contains, on each side thereof, a vertically extending groove I'II which slidably accommodates the plate cams I18 attached to companion plate 32 (see Fig. '7) Also shown in that figure is a recess [69 in base plate 3! and spacer plate 39. This recess is aligned with the plate cam grooves in the anvil support block. and provides space for the travel of the plate cams. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the top surface of anvil I'M is substantially coplanar with the top surface of the large forward portion ITI of the anvil support block. Upon this surface a top plate H9 and interposed gasket I86 are placed. This assemblage of anvil support block, gasket, and top plate is held together and secured to base plate 3I by means of screws I8I and dowels I02 (see Fig. 2) which transfix those parts and thread into the base plate. In order to slidably accommodate the neck end of the cartridge case to be perforated in our fixture, the front surface of this assemblage is provided with a recess I89 (see Fig. 15).

In Figs. 2, 4, and can be seen an air valve I83 which is threadedly attached to the central portion of top plate I19. In the lower, inner surface of the top plate, and in alignment with the outlet I84 of the air valve, is a recess I85 (see Fig. 4). As also seen in that view, gasket I80 contains an opening I86 which is substantially the same size as recess I85. More will be said about the recess and the gasket opening later.

Air valve I83 (see Figs. 2, 4, and 5) contains a release button I 81 and an air inlet pipe I88. This pipe connects at its other end to a convenient source of air pressure (not shown).

ANVIL The anvil in our fixture corresponds to the horn of the well known horn press. The horn, as is familiar to workers in the art, usually amounts to a cantilever beam which fits through an opening to the inside of an otherwise closed workpiece for the purpose of supporting it in the press. However, our anvil as we will show, has many novel features which distinguish it from prior art horns.

Our anvil has a flat, horizontal upper surface I90 and a flat, beveled lower surface I9I (see Figs. 5, 12, and 16). The lower surface slopes away from the upper surface along the anvils length from front to rear. Extending the length of the anvil is a centrally located, stepped slug recess I92 whose cross sectional area increases from front to rear (see Fig. 8). The forward end I93 of the slug recess is closed by a threaded end plug I94 while the rear end I95 accommodates, as by press fit, the slug outlet fitting I96. As shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 8, a slug outlet conduit I91 is secured, by any convenient means (not shown), to fitting I96.

Extending along the opposite sides of our anvil are air grooves 200 (see Figs. 4, 8, and 15) These air grooves communicate with air inlet holes I at the rear end of the anvil and with the slug recess I92 by means of the inclined side ports 202 and end ports 203 at the forward end of the anvil. As seen in Fig. 8, inclined side ports 202 are at an angle directed to the rear end of slug recess I 92 for a reason to be explained later. Air inlet holes 20I, as Fig. 4 shows, communicate with recesses I85 and I86 in top plate I19 and gasket I 80, respectively. From this it can be seen that a fluid stream (not shown) from valve I83 will enter the inlet holes, flow along the air grooves, and into a slug recess I92 through the inclined side ports and the end ports. From the slug recess, the fluid stream flows past slug outlet fitting I96 and along slug conduit I91. Air grooves 200 are sealed by closure strips 205 which are compressed or otherwise secured in leakproof fashion into shallow grooves 206 which encompass the periphery of the air grooves.

DIE BLOCK AND DIES Located in a groove 20! in the top surface I90 of the anvil, and secured there by screws 208, is a die block 209 whose upper surface 2I0 is shaped to coincide with a portion of the cartridge cases interior (see Figs. 2, 15, and 16). The die block is provided with shouldered recesses 2Ii which accommodate the dies 2 I2. These shouldered recesses are in alignment with an equal number of recesses 2 I3 of the same diameter in anvil I74, and form a path along which slugs resulting from the perforating operation travel from the dies to slug recess I92.

Each die 2I2 contains a punch mating recess 2 I4 and a coaxial slug clearance recess 2 I 5 which is substantially congruous with the smaller part of die recesses 2 in the die block and recesses 2I3 in the anvil. In Figs. 15 and 16 it can be seen that the outer surface of the die is shaped to conform with the upper surface of the die block.

Located on each side of the anvil near its forward end, and secured by screws 2H5, is an L-shaped hanger plate 2I'I. These hanger plates are placed so that the lower ends which extend beyond the anvils lower surface turn inward (see Fig. 18)

The anvils rear end is accommodated in groove I73 in anvil support block I'I0 to which it is pinned by means of pin 2I8 which transfixes top plate I19, gasket I80, and the support block (see Fig. 2)

WEDGE AND DRAW BAR In sliding contact with the anvils lower surface I9! is a wedge 220 whose lower surface 22I is shaped, similarly to the upper surface of die block 209, to engage a portion of the inside of the cartridge case (see Fig. 15). On each side of the wedge near its upper surface is a groove 222 which engages the inturned lower ends of hanger plates 2 i '1 attached to the anvil.

It will be noted from Fig. 15 that if wedge 229 be moved toward the front of the fixture (toward the readers left in that figure) the overall height over the upper surface 2I0 of the die block and lower surface 22I of the wedge decreases. Conversely, if wedge 220 be moved toward the rear of the fixture (toward the readers right) the overall dimension over die block and wedge increases. It will later be shown how this action permits the hollow, tapered, cylindrical workpiece to be inserted and removed from our fixture, and how it exerts and releases clamping pressure upon the sidewall of the workpiece.

The rear portion of the wedge is stepped down as at 225 and to this portion draw bar H6 is secured by means of screws 226 (see Fig. 15). The draw bar comprises a wide, front portion 22? and a narrower, rear portion 228. On each side of the wide portion, and in alignment with the wedges groove 222, is a similar groove 229. This groove, like the wedges groove, is dimensioned slidably to accommodate the lower inturned ends of L-shaped hanger plates ZI'I. The draw bar extends through groove I in anvil support block lit to a rearwardly extending portion of the fixture which will subsequently be described.

From Figs. 12, 15, and 16, it can be readily seen that when the workpiece is in position, the forward projecting end of anvil IN is rigidly supported from below bythe wedge, wall thickness of the workpiece and the cradle. For this reason, the anvil can withstand the pressure applied to it, when the workpiece is perforated, without distortion to any appreciable degree.

GUIDE BAR SUPPORTS Abutting the large, forward portion I1 I on each side of the anvil support block I19, and secured to base plate 3| by means of screws 232 and dowels 23! are the oppositely located guide bar supports 232 (see Figs. 2, 4, 5, and 7). These supports are identical except that one is on the left side and the other is on the right.- Therefore, a description of one will sufiice for both. Each guide bar support consists of a base portion 233 from which vertically projects an upright portion 234. As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5, and '7, a forward portion 235 of the upright portion is substantially the same height as the large, forward portion ll! of anvil support block Ht against which it abuts. From Figs. 2 and 7 it can be seen that a rear, stepped-in portion 235 of the guide bar supports upright portion lies close to, but does not touch the narrower rear portion l'i2 of the anvil support block H3. The reason for this condition is that upright portion 232 of the guide bar support contains an inwardly facing groove 23? (see Figs. 2, 4, 5, and 7) which slopes downward from front to rear at the same angle as the underside of anvil H4. This groove, then, is deeper at the rear, stepped'in portion of the guide bar support than it is at the forward portion. As seen in Figs. 2, 4, 5, and '7 the forward end of a guide bar 220, later to be described, is supported by the full length of this groove, while the forward end of a roller bar 22!, also to be described later, is slidably supported only in the deeper portion of the groove.

Components overhanging base plate THE GUIDE BARS As seen in Figs. 2 and some parts of our fixture overhang the rear end of base plate 3!. This overhanging structure is founded upon guide bars 2 3%} which extend rearwardly and downwardly from the forward face of anvil support block 579. The front end of each guide bar is supported in groove 23'! in guide bar support 232 located on each side of the anvil support block 51 3 (see Figs. 2 and 4). As earlier mentioned, these guide bar supports are secured to base plate 3% by means of screws 23% and dowels 23l (see Fig. 2). Passing through the side of these supports, through the guide bars, and threading into the anvil support block are screws 222 (see Fig. 5) which thus secure the guide bars at their forward ends. The rear ends of the guide bars are tied together by means of plate 225 (see Figs. 2, 5, and 6) to which they are secured as by screws (not shown).

ROLLER BARS, YOKE, AND LATCH Immediately adjacent the inner surface of each guide bar is the somewhat shorter roller bar 241 (see Figs. 2, 5, 6, and '7) These cars are slidably supported at their front ends by rear portion 238 of guide bar supports 232. At their rear ends they are slidably supported by plate 2%. As seen in Figs. 2. 5, and 6, a yoke 245 spans the space between the roller bars and is joined to each bar, as by screws or other convenient connection (not shown). Near the forward end of each roller bar is a pin 2%! upon which a roller 2&8 is rotatably mounted (see Fig. 7).

Located in an opening in the central portion of yoke 246 is the latch 256 (see Figs. 2, 5, and 6). This latch has a square shaped flange section 2M which abuts the inner face of the yoke. Projecting rearwardly from the flange section is a threaded shank 252, while projecting forwardly is the keeper portion 253.

A coil spring 254 fits around the threaded shank (see Figs. 2 and 5) and is confined between yoke 245 and a nut 255 so as constantly to pull flange portion 25l against the yoke. Nut 255 is held in adjustment by lock nut 256.

SADDLE, JAWS, AND JAW LEVER. I Slidably resting upon roller bars 24! and guide 259 (see Figs. 2 and 5).

bars 245 is a saddle 241' having a web 258 (see Figs. 2 and 6). Each side of the saddle has a groove 252 by means of which it slidably rests upon the adjacent roller and guide bars. The web portion of the saddle is somewhat stepped down from the saddles side portions and contains a forwardly projecting tab 327 (see Fig. 2) to which the rear end of draw bar H5 is adjustably attached by means of screws 328 which pass through a slot 329 in the draw bar. Threadedly attached to web 258 is a pivot 282 about which hooked jaws 2d! are free to rotate in scissor fashion. These jaws are acted upon by the springs 262 secured in any convenient manner to the saddle so as constantly to urge the jaws toward each other.

Pivotally secured atop saddle 251 by means of shoulder screw 263 is the jaw lever 252 (see Figs. 2, 5, and 6). The pivoted movement back and forth of the jaw lever is limited by forward and rear stop pins 265 and 2%, respectively, which are secured in any convenient manner to the top of saddle 255. Projecting downward from the lower surface of jaw lever 224 is the jaw spreading stud 26?. When the jaw lever is in its rearward position (see Fig. 2), the axis of the jaw spreading stud is substantially in alignment with the apex (not shown) formed by the two converging sides of jaws 26L WEDGE OPERATING ROD Attached to the underside of the free end of jaw lever 23 as by screws 258, and extending downward from its lower surface, is the end block This block is provided with a recess through which passes the rear end of wedge operating rod N54.

The wedge operating rod is slidably supported at its front end by support bar 562 through which it passes. Secured to the forward end of the wedge operating rod by any convenient means (not shown) is a handle 2'59. The rear end of the wedge operating rod is provided with an adjusting nut 21! which is maintained in position by means of lock nut 212. Intermediate its ends, wedge operating rod ltd is equipped with adjustably slidable, forward and rear stop collars 2'53 and 2'12, respectively. The forward collar era limits the forward sliding movement of the wedge operating rod, while rear collar 27 i assists in imparting movement of wedge operating rodv to jaw lever 28 3.

In connection with the wedge operating rod lot, saddle 257, and jaw lever 2E4, attention is drawn to the following facts. Startin with those parts in the Fig. 2 position, when the wedge operating rod is moved outward by pulling on its handle 2'52. the jaw lever is pivoted toward the front of the fixture. This movement of the jaw lever causes jaw spreading stud 26? to separate jaws 265 about their pivot 262 until they become disengaged from the latchs keeper portion 253. By the time the jaws are unlatched, the jaw lever contacts saddles forward stop pin 2'55. Continued pulling on the handle causes the saddle to slide forward on guide bars 2&2. The sliding of the in turn, moves forward draw bar it and its attached wedge 226. The wedge operating rod can be pulled outward until its forward stop collar 2% abuts support bar 162. At that time, the wedge has been moved forward until the overall dimension over the top of die block Edd-and the lower side of the wedge is adequate to allow insertion and removal of the workpiece.

As the wedge operating rod is pushed back toward the rear of the fixture, these actions take place. First the wedge operating rod moves in until its rear stop collar 2m abuts the jaw levers end block 259. As the movement is continued. the jaw lever is pivoted toward the rear of the fixture. This action carries the jaw spreading stud away from the jaws allowing them to close under action of springs 262. However, the jaws have not yet contacted latch 25s. The jaw lever pivots until it contacts the saddles rear stop pin 2E5. From this point on, the saddle moves toward yoke In so moving, the saddles jaws contact the latchs keeper portion 253 and are spread apart by the keepers pointed end. Continued movement of the wedge operating rod returns the jaws back to the Fig. 2 position where they become latched onto the keeper.

Other components associated companion plate PUNCH BLOCK. PUNCHES, AND PLATE CAMS In addition to the components already described, companion plate 32 is provided with a punch block Z'll (see Figs. 1, 3, 5, 9, and 12) and plate cams H8 (see Figs. 3, 5, '7, and 9). The punch block is secured to the under surface of the companion plate by means of screws 2% and dowels 2% so that the punches 288 secured in the block by any well known means (not shown) are vertically aligned with dies 2 i 2 located in die block 289. In accordance with usual practice, a back-up plate 289 is interposed between punch block 2?? and companion plate 32.

Plate cams H8 are similar in construction and purpose. Each cam has a horizontal flanged por- 1 4 tion 281 and a vertically extending plate portion 232. Cut into the outer face of each plate por-- tion, and extending from the lower end thereof toward the flange portion, is a roller groove 233. This groove has a forward vertical portion 284 and a rear vertical portion 285 which are connected by a sloped portion 286. One plate cam is mounted upon the underside of the companion plate above each side of anvil support block i'l 'i by means of screws 28'! and dowels 283 (see Fig. 3), so that the plate portion of each cam slidingly mates in accommodating groove ill on each side of the anvil support block (see Fig. 7).

Illustrative punch press equipped with electrical clutch release Our fixture is intended to be used on a machine of the punch press variety as illustratively shown in Fig. 1. Because the manner of construction and operation of this type of machine is well known to those skilled in the art, and since the machine represented is merely illustrative of wide variety, only the essential parts thereof will be identified. From Fig. 1 it can be seen that such a ma chine may have a bed 36 to which is attached, in well known manner, a frame 292%. Located in the upper part of the frame, and extending thereacross is a crankshaft 29]. This crankshaft pro iects beyond the sides of the frame, and, at one end, is provided with a clutch mechanism schematically shown at 292 and a drive gear 233. The opposite end of crankshaft 29! is equipped with a brake mechanism of usual construction which is enclosed by casing 294. In the central portion of the crankshaft is the crankpin 2535 to which is attached the connecting rod 2%. At the lower end of the connecting rod is the presss ram 33 which is reciprocally movable, due to the crankshaits rotation, in guides 29! which form part of frame 290,

Also located in the upper portion of frame 298, and extending thereacross, is the jackshaft 293 which is provided at one end with a drive pinion 2&9 meshing with drive gear 293, and at the other end with a flywheel 382. This flywheel is connected in any convenient manner, as by flexible coupling Bill to the motor pulley 3&2 located on motor shaft 3&3.

A treadle lever 384 is located in the machine's bed upon a rotatable treadle shaft 355, and by means of a yoked link 3&5, a connecting link 35?, clutch bars and 3H9 controls the action of the clutch in a well known manner.

However, in order to attain better and safer operation of our novel perforating fixture, we have, by novel means new to be described, adapted the operation of the machine to be controlled by operation of the fixture.

In Figs. 1 and 17 it can be seen that clutch bars see and 399 are adjustably coupled together by means of a split clamp block Sill which is secured together by means of threaded fastenings 3i i (see Fig. 1'7). As there shown, the upper end of clutch bar 3&8 has secured to it, in any convenient manner, a block 3 i 2 carrying a somewhat saw-toothed notch 3I3.

Mating with this notch, when the clutch is engaged, is a similarly shaped projection 315 carried by a clutch detent 3:5. This clutch detent is pivotally mounted, as by screws 3H5 to a plate 3 i I which is oifset somewhat from one side of the frame by means of spacers 3W (see Fig. l), and secured in place by means of screws 349.

Opposite its pivoting end, the clutch detent has an L-shaped link 32B attached to it by means of through bolt 32i (see Fig. 1'?) and not (not shown). The other end of link 32% is connected to the plunger 322 of a conventional solenoid 323 having terminals 324. This plunger is normally urged out of the solenoid by means of a spring 339 (see Fig. 1'7) so that the detent tends toward block 388 on the lower clutch lever.

From Fig. 1'7 it can be seen that clutch bars 38 and 309 will be held in their downward, clutch-engaged position by means of detent 3H5 while the solenoid plunger is in its outer position. When, for a reason to be explained later, the electrical circuit to the solenoid is completed, plunger 322 will be withdrawn into the solenoid. This pull on the solenoid is transmitted through link 328 to detent 3l5 which is then pivoted about screw 396 so that lug 3M becomes disengaged from notch 3l3. This unlatching action permits clutch bars 393 and 389 to be moved, by well known means forming part of the clutch mechanism, to the upward or clutch-released position. When the clutch is thus disengaged, the action of the presss ram is arrested.

The remainder of the electrical accessories of our fixture are best shown in Fig. 1. As a source of electrical potential we provide a storage battery Gilt. One terminal of the battery is grounded to press 3? by means of a lead 46!, and the other terminal is connected to a Microswitch 325 through a lead 402. From the microswitch 3225 another lead 4&3 connects to one side of solenoid 323. The other side of the solenoid is connected to one side of a condenser 494 by means of a lead 485, and to Microswitoh 55 by means of its lead 13. The condensers other side is grounded to the presss frame 29%! through a lead 585. Fig. 1 also shows that lead 131, which is connected to Microswitch 18, also is connected to the solenoid by virtue of that leads junction with lead 73 from Microswitch 55.

17 The other lead is from. Microswitch 55 is grounded to press frame 290.

As will be shown later, Microswitch 325, whose operation is controlled by movement of treadle 3M, has main control over the electrical circuit. As a result solenoid 323, condenser 40 and. Microswitches. 55 and H8 are incapable of action unless the presss treadle is depressed .to cause engagement of clutch 292.

Operation of our perforating fixture Before describing the operation of our fixture, let up point out that wedge 229 is movable by either one of two different means. As we will show later, reciprocation of companion plate 32 causes sliding movement of the wedge through theaid of plate cams I78, rollers 248, roller bars 2 H, yoke 245, latch 25B, jaws 26L saddle 251, and

draw bar I18. Actually, as the companion plate descends, the wedge is moved away from chuck 51; and as the plate rises, the wedge is moved toward the chuck. The Wedge 229 is also movable toward or away from the fixtures chuck by means of wedge operating rod I64. When the rod is pushed manually by means of handle 27B. attached thereto (see Figs. 1 to 5 and 9), toward the rear of the fixture, the wedge is moved away from the chuck. Conversely, when the 7 rod is pulled away fromthe rear of the fixture,

the wedge is moved toward the chuck.

In describing the operation of our fixture, we shall assume it to be mounted in the illustrative punch press 3'! depicted in Fig. 1. The presss ram 31 is at the upper limit of travel, so base plate 3! and companion plate 32 are separated the maximum amount. This relationship between the base plate and the companion plate also places thimble [01 at the top portion of index. spindle 93 (see Figs. 1, 5, 9, and 12). Rollers 2&8 at the same time are in the lower forward portion 284 of roller groove 283 (see Fig. 7) so that through mechanism earlier mentioned wedge 220 is in its forward position.

It is further assumed that wedge operating rod I64 is in its rear position shown in Figs. 1, 5, 9 at which time rear stop collar 214 has, by pushing against end block 269 on law lever 264, moved the jaw lever against rear stop pin 266. This pressure against the rear stop pin causes saddle to assume its rearmost position Y chuck. 51 is depressing button 89. of switch 55.

Chuck 51 will also be assumed to be in. its inward position (see Figs. 2, 5, 12, and 15).

One final assumption is that the cartridge case clamp has been removed to permit insertion of a workpiece to be perforated. In order to load our perforating fixture, wedge operating rod IE4 is manually pulled forwardly from the front of fixture until forward step collar 213 thereon abuts bar support I62. By so pulling on wedge operating rod I64, the wedge will be caused to slide forward so that the workpiece can be inserted into our fixture.

Our workpiece, which is in the form of a hollow, tapered, cylindrical cartridge case 498 having a head end 4H} and an open, neck end GI I, is then inserted neck end first into chuck 5! as far as it will go. The clamp is next placed in the chuck and tightened, thereby clamping the cartridge case in the chuck (see Figs. 12 and 15).

When the cartridge case is properly positioned,

its neck and is slidably accommodated in recess I89 formed in the forward end of the assembly of anvil support block I10, gasket I80, and top plate I19 (see Fig. 15). At the same time, a portion of the cases head is slidably supported in recess 82 in chuck 51 (see Figs. 12 and 15). Note also in those figures that the cartridge case is inserted until its head rests upon the bottom 8i of clamp recess 86'. When so supportedin our fixture, the shaped upper surface of die block 20$, and the longitudinal concavity I68 in cradle I65 support opposite portions of the cases sidewall.

The cartridge case is securely positioned in chuck 5? by means ofour rapidly operable clamp whose application to the fixture will now be described. Holding the clamp by means of shank Mil, clamp body ME! is axially aligned with'chuck 5?. The body is then rotated slightly unti1 lugs Itli on the body are in alignment with the lug spaces in chuck 51. When these parts are so aligned, clamp body mil can be pushed. into clamp recess St in chuck 51 until the projecting lugs I48 about the base of the cartridge case. Clamp body I40 is then rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 1 and 9 by rotating its shank MI until further rotation is blocked by stop pin which is engaged by one of the clamps lugs I60.

Threaded cap I58 is next turned in the same clockwise direction causing push rod I51 to move against clamp plug I M. The movement of. the clamp plug toward the base of the cartridge case is transmitted to the inner ends of clamp lugs I48. Since the outer end of the lugs rest upon fiat portion MB of clamp recess I45, outward movement of the inner end will result in outward movement of projecting portion M901" the clamp lug. As these lugs move outward they simultaneously push against the base of the case which, because of its seated position, can move nowhere. As the threaded cap is turned, the clamp body is acted upon by a force which tends to move the body from the chuck. This is prevented by'chuck lugs 83, which engage clamp lugs I60, andv an axially acting clamping pressure is exerted upon the cartridge case.

The clamping. pressure is necessary fortwoimportant reasons. First, there must be no relative rotation between cartridge case and chuck 51. Second, there must be no axial end shake between the cartridge case and the chuck lest axial indexing be inaccurate.

With the cartridge case. clamped in the chuck, the operation is ready to continue. Treadle 304 is depressed, causing clutch rods 308 and 309 to be moved. downward, and. thus engage the presss clutch- 292 in well known fashion (not shown). As clutch rod 398 is moved downward (see Fig. 18 its lower end (near yoked. link 306.) is moved toward Microswitch 325, depressing itsplunger 326 and completing the electrical circuitthrough the Microswitch.

When the presss clutch is engaged. crankshaft 29I is caused to rotate in well known manner, thereby'causing press ram 31 to descend. As the ram descends, companion plate 32 approaches base plate BI. During the descent of the. ram various actions take place. For ease of understanding, these actions will be explained one after the other, although it is to be understood that two or more may occur simultaneously.

At the front end of our fixture, thimble I01 descends on index spindle 99'. Pin IIZin the flange of the index spindle housing rides vertically downward in straight index grooves 9|. From Fig; 12

it can be seen that in moving down groove 9 I, in-

vertical alignment, the rotary indexing spindle is not yet rotated.

Farther toward the fixtures rear portion, plate cams I18 attached to companion plate 32 also descend. From Figs. and '7 it can be seen that, as the plate cams descend, roller bars 2M coupled therewith by means of roller 248 are caused to move toward the rear of the fixture. Yoke 2&6 attached to the ends of the roller bars also moves toward the rear of the fixture carrying latch 258 with it. Since jaws 28! are engaged to the keeper portion of the latch, they, too, are pulled rearwardly along with saddle 257. drawbar I75, and wedge 228. The amount of movement of the roller bars as a result of the action of the plate cams is greater than the amount of available movement of the Wedge, because of its confinement within the tapered cartridge case. The wedge, as a result, moves rearwardly only so much as the inside of the cartridge case allows. The difierence in the amount of movement between the roller bars and the wedge takes place between the latch and the yoke. The sliding motion between these two parts causes compression of coil spring 254 (see Fig. 2)

From Fig. it can be seen that the free, forward end of anvil I'M is rigidly supported through the cooperation of the Wedge, the Wall thickness of the cartridge case, and the cradle When the wedge is in its rearmost position. In addition,

. the wedge exerts an appreciable clamping effect upon the cartridge case.

After the wedge has been moved to its rearmost position by mean just described, punches 280 are brought against and through the Wall of the cartridge case by the still descending ram to perforate a single row of perforations (in this case ten).

The ram descends low enough to push the slugs resulting from the perforating operation through punch hole 2M and into slug clearance hole 2I5. Once in this recess the slugs fall by gravity into central slug recess I92 in anvil I'M.

Just before the ram reaches the lowermost point of its descent, the lower surface of companion plate 32 impinges upon and depresses air release button I8? atop air valve I83. This action allows a blast of air from inlet pipe I88 to flow along channels 200 on either side of anvil I14 and into central recess I92 by means of end ports 2G3 and inclined side ports 252. As a result of the air blast, the slugs resulting from the perforating operation are blown out of slug recess I92 and along slug outlet conduit IS? which directs them to an awaiting receptacle (not shown).

By the time ram 38 has reached the lowermost point of its travel, index pin H2 in thimble l0? has reached the lower end of index groove 8!.

As the ram begins to ascend, the cam actions merely dwell for a while. That is, rotary index pin II2 begins its travel back up along the lower straight portion 93 of rotary index groove; and rear, vertical portion 285 of roller groove 283 travels past roller 248 in roller bar 24L The only motion resulting in the early stages of the up- 20 stroke of the press is vertical separation of companion plate 32 from base plate 3|.

As the ram continues to rise, the punches are carried upward out of engagement with the cartridge case, the sloped portion 286 of roller groove 283 has begun to contact rollers 258; and rotary index pin H2 reaches the beginning of sloped connecting groove 91 in index spindle 90.

As the sloped portions 286 of the roller grooves pass by rollers Edi roller bars 2m to which the rollers are attached are given a rectilinear movement toward the front of the fixture. This movement results in movement of wedge 22o toward the head end of the cartridge case. When the wedge is moved to this position, its clamping pressure against the cartridge case is released to allow for subsequent rotary and axial indexing of the cartridge case which is now about to take place in the following manner.

As the rams upstroke continues, rotary indexing pin H2 reaches shoulder 96 which forms one side of helical communicating groove 9'1. This step is abrupt (as shown in Fig. 9) and. rather deep (as shown in Fig. 12) and so it does not exert any depressing effect upon spring II3. Therefore, as the upstroke continues, index pin H2 commences to travel along communicating groove 97 toward the next adjacent straight groove SI. In traveling along the helical communicating groove, index pin II2. traveling vertically up, has a camming action (see Fig. 27) which causes rotation of index spindle in a clockwise direction as viewed from above.

Rotation of the index spindle also results in rotation of bevel pinion gear I02 which is pinned thereto as shown in Fig. 12. This rotation of bevel pinion gear IE2 is also transmitted to its mating ring gear 50. Inasmuch as the ring gear is keyed at "I3 to chuck 51, the chuck in which the cartridge case is clamped is also rotated.

Rotation of chuck 51 causes its own, and the contained cartridge cases, axial indexin as will now be explained. Undulating peripheral groove 1' in chuck 5? is engaged at three strategic loca tions by means of chuck pins 65! which are secured in housing 50. As the chuck rotates and carries its undulating groove 17 past these pins, it is easy to see that, as a result, the chuck will be moved axially out and thus cause the holes in one row of perforations in the cartridge case to be staggered in relation to the next row (see Fi 24).

As will be obvious to those skilled in the mechanical arts, both the rotary and the axial indexing occurring in our fixture take place only intermittently. That is, they occur on each upstroke of the press, but only after the punches have risen clear of the cartridge case and after wedge 220 has been moved to its released position.

In this particular fixture we have arranged the rotary indexing to be equivalent to the angular distance between each longitudinal row of holes, but this would not necessarily be required. If desired, we could arrange to have the rotary indexing equivalent to twice or more angular distance between each row of holes.

As far as the axial indexing is concerned, it is equivalent to one half the distance between holes in a longitudinal row.

Rotation of index spindle 99 ceases when index pin I I 2 reaches the end of communicating helical groove 91. At that time, the index pin snaps into the straight portion 92- of the straight groove SI (see Fig. 12). The ram then continues on .acsaaca bl'e i01 will, as a. result, he causedto rotate ina counterclockwise direction as viewed from. above (see Fig. 2). This rotation of' the thimble pivots pawl l t6 toward contact pin .126 of Microswitch H 8. Avery small movementzof the pawl causes it" to abut the-contact pin, at which time an electric circuit; to solenoid 323 is completed. As earlier mentioned, the solenoid, when energized, causes the presss. clutch to become disengaged and, its action. arrested. By 'thissafetyapparatus, damage-to the workpiece or the fixture is obviated.

The clamping; perforating, unclamping and indexing operationscontinue in describedfashion until chuck 57 has; completed one revolution. At that time switch lug B8. on Chuck 5'! contacts button 830i electric switch 55 closing the electrical circuit to solenoid 323 which promptly declutohes the machine and results in automatic stopping thereof;

The cartridge case clamp is manually loosened and removed, the perforated cartridge case is removed by pulling back: on-wed'ge operating rod I64 which now acts as an ejector, and another case is loaded into the" machine. Fig. 24' shows an illustrative cartridge case 409A following perforatio'n'by use of our fixture.

Modifiedfront and? construction.

The manner ofpositioning the cartridge in our fixture, and themanner of obtaining axial and rotary indexing may also be accomplished in the manner depicted by a modified construction i shown in Figs. 19 to 23 inclusive.

VERTICAL PLATE AND SLIDE BLOCKS In the modified. structure, avertical. plate 330 is-secured by; means of screws 3:31 to base plate 3|A (see Figs. 19 and 22). A recess 332iormed in the central portion of-thevertical plate removably supports thecartridgecase 409 to be perforated- (see Fig. 22):-

Slide-blocks 333, having a shapedmedial edge 334', are supported. in a'recess-335 whichextends substantially across thevertical-plate. Each.- slide block is provided with a. stud. 33 6 whichprojects from its outside face far cnoughtozprov-idcioli the attachment theretminany convenient manner, of one end. of. a coilspri-ng 33:1. The other endof thecoil spring; is similarly attached. toia stud 338 securedto vertical-plate 330 (see Eig-. 19..).-. I-twill be obvious, therefore, that each slide. b ock is constantly pulled away from the center of. the fixture. by means. of springs. 3.31.

The; inside. face of. each slide block is.v provided with a. roller 343 secured thereto. and. rotatin upon a shoulder screw 34! which. is concentric withstud- 336. (In Fig. 19 only one roller 3.40 is indicated asbeing concentricwithone, stud 336. However, it should Ice-understood thatthe other stud- 336- there shown also has-a like. roller concentric therewith, but. not shown.) Each. roller contacts theinner surface 342: of aoam 343 which is secured to companion. plate 32-A. As the companion: plate: descends, each slide block. isupushed toward the cartridge case. When the companion platerises springs 33lpull the blocks outward to their Fig. -19 position. These slide. blocks :are:

retained in vertical plate filthy-a cover plate 344, having; a slot 369-, which issecured to.- the vertical plate by means of screws 345 (-seeFig. 1-9). Inorder not to. interfere with, insertion: andre- 'moval ofthe cartridge: case from; the. fixture, the

central portion. of. the cover plate isrecessedi (see Fig-122) SUPPORT BLOCK, INDEX" sPI-NDnE, "5ND PINION GEAR Secured-to the upper central portion ofvertical plate 330 by any convenient. means (not shown) is a. support block 346; This supportblockrcontains the vertically positioned,- rotatable index spindle 341 and a fixed, horizontally positioned 'st'ud- MB CSee-Figs. 1'9 and 22). The index'spindle has anenlarged portion 349v (see Fig. 21) which contains two verticallypositi'oned', downwardly extending and eccentrically located cylindrical pins 353. As indicated" in Fig. 21,these pins are the same radial distance. from the axis of index spindle 34'! and, asashown in Fig. 20, are adjacently spaced so as to mate with serrations35'l RING. GEAR AND RATGHET. WHEEL Rotatably mounted upon sleeve. 3.51 is .the beveled ring gear 358" having the. tapered hub 353 (see Fig. 22). Also rotatably mounted upon the sleeve is a ratchet wheel. 360." having four equally spaced saw toothed notches 36! (see. Figs. wand 22). As shown inFig; 22;.the ratchetrwheels hub 362 is provided with. a tapered recess 363 which mates with tapered hub 359 of'hevel gear 358.

' These two parts are pressed into firm frictional contact by means of acoil. spring 364' whoseouter end presses againstthe bottom of a recess 365 in a cap 366 threadedly mounted: upon the outer end of sleeve 351. Cap 366 is maintained in position upon the sleeve in any convenientmanner, asv by a set screw (not shown).

Confined against axial movement between the outer face of ratchet wheel 360 and a. shoulder 361' on cap 366, butfree to rotate upon said cap, is-a pawl wheel 368- (see Fig. 22') This pawl wheel contains a deepcircumferential. groove 3T0 in its periphery; Between-the sides of this groove a U-shaped pawl 3' (see Fig. 19) is 'pivotally mounted upon a pin 312- Which-is secured, as by press fit, into the pawl wheel. This pawl extends outside the pawl wheeL-then rearwardly over its circumference, and radially inward to engage one of the saw-toothed notches 361' in the ratchet pinned a eal-1315 isathreaclecl push rod 316 which is provided with adjustably positioned upper and lower stop collars 3-11 and 31.8, respectively; This push rod slidably passesthrouglra bracket 3 l9 secured in any convenient; manner (not shown! .to

the upper surface of companion plate 32A..

CASE PLATE AND CLAMP PLUG In our modified structure the head 4! of the cartridge case to be perforated is accommodated rotation and axial displacement of case plate 352.

More will be said about this later.

In order to clamp, in our modified fixture, the head of the cartridge case to be perforated, we provide a clamp plug 38!. From Fig. 22 this plug will be seen to consist of an inner threaded end 382, which engages threaded recess 38!! in the case plate, and an outer shank portion 383. It is clear from Fig. 22 that clamp plug 381 can be made to exert clamping pressure upon the head of the cartridge case so as to prevent relative rotation between the case plate and the cartridge case.

PUSHER MECHANISM In order to index properly it is necessary that case plate 352 constantly be pressed against pins 350. This requirement is met by a pusher mechanism 384 (see Figs. 19 and 23) now to be described.

- Referring to Fig. 23, a stud 385, secured in position by a nut 386, projects outward from the face of vertical plate 330. As seen in Fig. 19 this stud is near the lower, left corner of the vertical plate, and is offset somewhat from the axial center of case plate 352. Projecting from one side of the stud near its inner end is a pin 33? (see Fig. 23) whose purpose will be explained later. The outer end of the stud 385 is provided with a cap plate 388, of somewhat larger diameter, which is secured in place by means of a screw Axially slidable on stud 385 and cap plate 383 is a cylindrical member 399 whose internal axial recess 39! is slightly greater in diameter than cap plate 388. In Fig. 23 can be seen a U-shaped groove 392 which slidably fits around pin 38'! in stud 335. Confined between the inner end of recess 39! and the inner face of cap plate 388 is a coil spring 393 which acts constantly to urge cylindrical member 390 toward vertical plate 330. Near the outer end of cylindrical member 393 to which it is secured, as by welding, is an arm 394 having a handle 395 (see Figs. 19 and 22). The arm is provided with a threadedly attached pressure stud 396 whose inner end (see Fig. 22) bears upon shank 383 thereby urging case plate 352, to which it is attached, toward pins 350.

Handle 395 is provided for convenience of use of our modified fixture and merits no additional description.

Operation of our modified perforating fixture ation of the modified fixture need concern itself only with that aspect.

At the outset, let us assume that base plate 3 !A and companion plate 32A are at their maximum distance apart and that arm 394 carrying pressure stud 396 has been rotated so'as not to inter- 1 fere with introducing the cartridge case into the Aside from the fixture, the cartridge case 409 to be perforated is clamped in case plate 352 by means of clamp plug 38! (see Fig. 22). The cartridge case is then placed on the fixtures anvil as before described. When the case is properly positioned, serrations 35! in the case plate will rest against pins 350. By means of handle 395 and arm 394, cylindrical member 393 is pulled out and rotated until pressure stud 326 is in alignment with shank 383 of the clamp plug. At the position of alignment, groove 392 in circular member 390 is in alignment with pin 38'! which projects from stud 385. The pull on the cylindrical member is released, and groove 332 mates with pin 38'! to prevent accidental movement of the pressure stud ofi the shank of the clamp plug.

As companion plate 32A descends, slide blocks 333 are moved radially inward into light contact with the cartridge case by the action of the plates cams 343 on the blocks rollers 349, the wedge tightening action earlier mentioned takes place, and the case is perforated. In addition, pawl wheel 368 is moved in a clockwise direction by the action of the companion plates bracket 3l9 against the push rods lower stop collar 378 (see Fig. 19) so that pawl 31! moves into engagement with the adjacent saw-toothed notch 36! of the now non-rotating ratchet wheel 36%.

As the companion plate rises, the cartridge case is stripped from the withdrawing punches by the slide blocks, and the wedge clamping action is released, as earlier mentioned. In addition, the pawl wheel is moved in a counterclockwise direction by the action of the companion plates bracket against the push rods upper stop collar 3?! (see Fig. 19). Because the wheels pawl is in engagement with the ratchet wheel, that wheel also moves in a counterclockwise direction. This angular movement of the ratchet wheel, in turn, causes partial rotation in the same direction of ring gear 358 because of the spring pressured, frictional contact between those two parts (see Fig. 22). As the ring gear is moved, corresponding angular movement is imparted to its mating beveled pinion 354 and index spindle 34'! attached thereto.

Such relationship exists between the reciprocating travel of the companion plate, the angular movement of the ratchet wheel, and the ratio between the pinion and ring gears that the index spindle is rotated one half a revolution (180) in a clockwise direction as viewed from above (see Fig. 21) during each ascent of the fixtures companion plate.

This intermittent angular movement of the index spindle each time the companion plate rises causes case plate 352, and the cartridge case mounted therein, simultaneously to be indexed both axially (i. e. in a direction along the axis of the cartridge case) and angularly (i. e. in a direction around the axis of the cartridge case) be- 7 cause of the coaction between the index spindles indexing is reciprocatory and is equal to twice the perpendicular distance from an imaginary line passing through the axes of the ecc entrically located pins to the axis of the index spindle. The angular or rotative indexing, on the other hand, is in a counterclockwise direction only.

The indexing and perforating operations are repeated in the manner described until the cartridge cases wall is completely perforated. At

that time the fixtures operation is automatically 

